The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1887-11-12
WASHINTON LETTER.
= = FrOm Our Regular Correspondence

AS CIlG Olu6 lOf Cuo dSSOLnOlIA5 VI
Congress draws near, Washington has
emerged from her Summer siesta and
in the midst of an area of preparation
for the advent of assembled wisdom at
the Capitol. The dawn of the approach
ing season" is unusually radiant. 1t
already reflects it's glow over the whole
city, and is prophetic of reign of
politics and gayety such as will cast a
shadow over remembrances of preced
ing Congressional sessions. Many of
the people who possess wealth, culture,
and leisure, and make Washington
their winter resort, have already re-
turned. They will soon be followed
by general rush from all parts of the
country Then the ball begins. Con
gress and society will vie for suprem-
acy. The former will interest, the
latter will dazzle. The power of society
in Washington has to be seen to be
appreciated. 1t exerts strong control
even over official life, and its power can
not be broken or dissembled 1t reign
over Congress, in that it lures both Re
preventative and Senator away f ON
their duties at the Capitol. Not in
frequently does the House of Repre-
sentatives await quorum until its
truant members can be arrested in the
enjoyment of a 'high tea" or ball at
Mrs. Secretary So-and Sos, and re
turned captive by the Seargeant-at-
Arms. The monarchs of this power
the society leaders will strain every
nerve this season to increase its mag
netism, and they promise succession
of entertainments on scale that has
not heretofore been attempted. Gossip
is the ambassador and minister pleni-
potentiary of the social world. This
year she tells of the mysterious Gus
tunes and surprises that will astound
the oldest inhabitants, and add greatly
to the splendor of the display. Be-
tween Vanity Fair and the National
Legislature, there will be nothing
dormant in Washington the coming
Fall and Winter, from the first whirl
after Monday, December 9th, to the
intermisson which ensues when the
mantle of Lent is thrown over society.
All Washington, and by that l
mean the combination Of social and
official life at the Capital, has been to
the races the past week. The race
season is indeed a galatime here.
Fashion, with its modern tastes, is a
great patron of the turf, and fashion
nowhere rules with greater away than
in her own strong hold at the Capitol
Of the Nation. Here comparatively
great proportion of the population can
afford to enjoy themselves without re-
gard to cost. Ergo, they all SO to the
races and loose their money. Heads Of
Departments, Chiefs Of Bureau, down
TO the $500 clerk, may all be seen
hoAering about the book-makers, OIL
posing on the quarter-stretch for the
admiration of the ladies on the grand
stand, while the diplomatic dude:
promenade with usual wont in front Of
the crowd. As they strutted up anc
down the past week, they seemed tt
;eel that efery eye was upon them; mol
were they mistaken. The cut of theil
trousers; the shape of their collars, ant
oheir kaleidoscope neckties usually
afford much amusement The diplomat
must he classed in the eccentric family
Of the genus homo, for both in his face
and dress he seems to present in con
bination the fashions of Paris, London
Berlin, and St. Petersburg.
| Apropos of the races, the fact il
lately developed that there are al
many fine teams and handsome equip
ages in Washington as are to be founC
anywhere. Time was when handsom,
turnout or fine span Of horses was /:
rarity upon the streets of the Capital
and one involuntarily turned to lool
a ter the unusual sight. Now, how
ever, such state of things no lonpe
Exists. The miles Of asphalt and smootl
fpavements are fairly alive during TIL
Winter; the elegant teams are driver
for the best part by their respective owl
rs. General Beall, ON his fine farm jus
outside the city limits, keeps SO man
inc horses that, where he so minded
= it would be possible to appear with
new team every day for considerabl
length of time. The President has
handsome team of blacks, and Seer,
r. ltary Bayard's favorite steed is q laro
| powerful bay mounted unon winch